Jingle Bells by Beth

Jingle bells
Jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden ute
Hey!

How To Avoid Spending $ On Pretty IKEA Storage Boxes

I stumbled upon a super easy way to use up old wrapping paper and breathe new life into daggy cardboard cartons which were destined for the recycling bin.

While leafing through the activity book given to the kids at Sunday School, I came across this one: pretty up plain cardboard cartons with wrapping paper and use them to store your precious items.

Too easy, right?

If only.

I can be obsessive if I want to, but some days I couldn't care less, and if you look closely at the cartons, you'll see all the marks of a shoddy wrap attempt.

BUT, the important thing is, we now have 2 festive-looking boxes that look quite presentable. Into one, I've popped some of Beth's storybooks; there just wasn't room for them anywhere else. The other, she's gleefully turned into a cubbyhouse that she can climb into with her soft toys and do a bit of reading in.

What You Read Determines What You Speak

I am starting to see a direct correlation between what Beth reads and what she says in conversation.

A couple of weeks back, she heaped lavish praise on me for no particular reason.

"Mummy, I love you. You're the best mummy in the whole wide world!"

I knew exactly where that had come from.

It was from a library book about a boy who woke up, gave his mummy a hug, and told her she was the best mummy in the whole wide world.

Because his mummy felt good, she was able to overlook someone who cut into her lane when she was driving.

Because that driver felt he had been treated well, he was able to be nice to his supplier.

And on and on, till the chain of kindness came full circle and returned to bless the boy's father.

A beautiful, soul enlarging version of Pay It Forward which any child or adult can relate to.

"Out of the wellsprings of your heart, your mouth speaks."

The Good and Bad of Milestones

It's been one crazy week.

J is down to one (sometimes two) feed(s) at night, but I still feel sleep deprived and like morning has arrived too soon.

Today, she handed me various objects, one after another, in a very conscious, purposeful manner: a new milestone.

She copied me when I clapped while singing "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands..."

Yesterday, she surprised her sister and me by climbing on and off the couch without incident.

Wow.

She opened the kitchen cabinet that conceals the trash bin.

Pulled open the drawer and started taking tea towels etc out.

She's as clingy as ever and I can't get any work done....unless I let her tear up mags and stuff tissues in her mouth and pretend not to see.

Not good.